History of your Surname
Get access to Fernau family records.Start a free trial

Fernau Family History

Fernau Name Meaning

German: habitational name from any of various places called Fernau Fernow or Viernau.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Bernau, Fernow, Ferneau, Ferner, Verna, Derham, Fern, Perna, Vernon

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Fernau family from?

You can see how Fernau families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Fernau family name was found in the USA, and Scotland between 1880 and 1920. The most Fernau families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 15 Fernau families living in Iowa. This was about 30% of all the recorded Fernau's in USA. Iowa had the highest population of Fernau families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Fernau surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Fernau ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Fernau. 100% of Fernau men worked as a Farmer. .

View Census Data for Fernau | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    100%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Fernau family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Fernau. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Fernau census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Fernau

Passenger Lists

There are 374 immigration records available for the last name Fernau. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Fernau immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 355 military records available for the last name Fernau. For the veterans among your Fernau ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Fernau military records

You've only scratched the surface of Fernau family history

Discover More

What is the average Fernau lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Fernau life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1966, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Fernau in 1946 was 49, and 67 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Fernau

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Fernau family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Fernau last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial